In terms of energy, what happens when work is done on an object?

When work is done on an object, energy is transferred to that object. This principle is grounded in the work-energy theorem, which states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its energy. When a force is applied to an object and causes it to move, the energy associated with that force is transferred to the object, resulting in an increase in its kinetic energy or potential energy, depending on the nature of the force and movement involved.

For example, if you push a stationary car, the work you do helps increase the car's kinetic energy as it starts to move. This concept illustrates that energy does not simply manifest from nowhere or disappear; instead, it is conserved and transformed through work done on or by objects.